Thousands of Jenni’s fans were on hand to help the singer’s family celebrate her life on Dec. 19 at a public memorial held at the Gibson Amphitheater in Los Angeles. Read on for all the details about beautiful, musical memorial.
The life of Mexican-American singer Jenni Rivera, who was tragically killed in a plane crash in Mexico on Dec. 9, was celebrated in a public memorial service at the Gibson Amphitheater in Los Angeles on Dec. 19. The memorial was presided over by her family who referred to the celebration as a “celestial graduation.”
An opportunity for fans to pay their respects and say good bye to Jenni, the memorial was attended by thousands of people who received tickets on a first-come, first-serve basis. The tickets were sold out within an hour of becoming available on Tuesday, Dec. 18.
Jenni’s brother Pedro Rivera, Jr., who is also a minister, opened the memorial with a prayer. After his prayer, the live music began as Jackie Melina Campos, one of Jenni’s three daughters, performed a tribute song entitled “You are Here” (“Tu Estas Aqui”) for her mother. Her younger sister Jenick Priscilla López Rivera, just fifteen years old, sang a spiritual hymn while wearing red Converse shoes with her pretty white dress.
All the members of Jenni’s family wore red and white, and were seated on stage. They watched along with her fans as a video tribute for the singer played on the screens in the theater. After the video finished, Jenni’s casket was brought on stage by her brothers and 11-year-old son Johnny López Rivera.
Jenni’s five children asked “that donations be made to the Jenni Rivera Love Foundation in addition to a single white rose” rather than have fans send flower arrangements.
After the memorial service, Jennie will be buried in a private funeral service that will be closed to the public and members of the media.
Our thoughts remain with Jenni’s family, friends, and fans during their time of mourning.
WATCH: Hollywood Reacts To Jenni Rivera’s Death!
– Billy Nilles
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Maria Rosa
Posted at 1:52 PM on December 21, 2012
This was an incredibly beautiful memorial. Her children made me proud. I believe she was smiling and feeling so proud as a mom, daughter and sister. What a beautiful family. Rosie, Chiquis and Jackie look so much like Jenni. Forever live her strong spirit and the way she was able to navigate so naturally in both the American and Mexican cultures. While in Mexico she was a pure “Mexicana” and while in California she was a savvy Mexican American. She had to be tough growing up in California and yet she was humble and loving to people. She leaves behind her great “unbreakable” (like Chiquis called her) fortitude for other women to follow in her footsteps. Rosie you have her strength and her beautiful spirit. May God bless this family always for sharing her with us.